1952

A great number of '525 who were not originally from California nowlive there and obviously love it. So we called a few of them up and asked for their reflections on the greatest feature of the Golden State, the least great thing and their opinions on their new governor. Most of our classmates are in northern California and here's what they told us:

Jack Shuman lives in Piedmont and is notable, among other things, for being able to recite from memory an enormous number of Robert Frosts poems. Now retired as an investment counselor, Jack considers the best thing about his state " the phenomenally good weather." What's the worst? "Growing social and infrastructure problems connected to enormous immigration." How about Gov. Schwarzenegger? "Positively a miracle worker. Able to market billions of dollars of bonds, which his predecessor never could have done."

Pete Zischke and Midge live in Orinda. Pete is, appropriately for a retirement plans consultant, retired. Pete thinks that the best aspect of California is "the wonderful weather with no bugs and low humidity, although the amazing diversity within the population is right up there as a positive." So what's not to like? "The overcrowding of the infrastructure—just too many people." About Arnold? "Doing an absolutely super job, not a single misstep!"

Working as a realtor with Coldwell Banker, John Bartlett lives in Portola Valley. His take is that "everything in California is wonderfully moderate. No extremes, a very comfortable place to live in." The other side of the coin? "Escalating prices and too much traffic!" The governor is "at least doing something, and I'm enthusiastic about him."

Jim Streng lives in Fair Oaks and is in commercial realty property management. Like others, he regards the climate as the best feature of California. Also like others, he thinks "the worst is the overcrowded infrastructure" (forwhich read highways, I guess). What about the bodybuilder governor? "He's been very effective. He knows how to get along with all sides and it's paid off."

Grove Bryant lives in Orinda and is fully retired, having sold his shipping-terminal business. Although he has fond memories of his native Vermont, he would never go back to live. Why? "The weather here is simply unbelievable—there's almost nothing wrong with California. It's overcrowded but that's mosdyin southern California." Grove is distinctly positive about The Terminator. "He's broken a deadlock; he's gotten things moving."

From San Francisco Nick Skylor says that the climate plus the exceptional social mobility and diversity of its citizens are the pleasantest things about California. The least good, Nick feels, is a state in which "direct democracy often runs amok." About Arnold: "He's a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, which is what most Californians want., .doing a really good job."

Finally, all classmates should definitely check out our '52 Web site at www.dartmouth. org/classes/52. Webmaster Ben Lawwill is doing a fine job.

www.dartmouth.org/classes/52

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